3.3y–5y9 minActive playFamily timeFree play
Move Smart, Move Free
A playful movement-and-chat routine that helps children notice space, stop safely, and understand simple reasons for taking care when moving freely.
What you'll need
Essentials
- open floor space (indoors or outdoors)
- 2–4 soft items to act as 'obstacles' (pillows, towels, soft toys)
Nice to have
- masking tape (to mark a start/finish line)
- a small step or sturdy low surface (for supervised stepping/jumping practice)
- a soft ball
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneFollows adult safety guidanceHeart· 2.5y–4y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneChildren show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneRuns around obstaclesBody· 2.7y–3.7y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneIndependently manages dangersHeart· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneJumps down from a raised objectBody· 3.2y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneMakes sharp turns while runningBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Negotiates space successfully when playing racing and chasing games with other children, adjusting speed or changing direction to avoid obstacles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Experiments with different ways of moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Jumps off an object and lands appropriately.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk about why children should take care when moving freely.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)